**! West Indies Vs Zimbabwe House !**

In ZIMBABWE

30 1st ODI, Harare

December

2 2nd ODI, Harare

5 3rd ODI, Bulawayo

7 4th ODI, Bulawayo

9 5th ODI, Bulawayo

IN SOUTH AFRICA

14 v Makhaya Ntini Invitation XI, East London

19-22 v South Africa A, East London

26-30 1st Test, Port Elizabeth

January

2-6 2nd Test, Cape Town

10-14 3rd Test, Durban

18 Twenty20 international, Johannesburg

20 1st ODI, Centurion

25 2nd ODI, Cape Town

27 3rd ODI, Port Elizabeth

February

1 4th ODI, Durban

3 5th ODI, Johannesburg

In terms of an agreement reached between CSA, CSA's six franchises, and the South African Cricketers' Association (Saca), Zimbabwe will play as a seventh franchise in the MTN Domestic Championship and the Standard Bank Pro 20 Series. All their matches in these two competitions will be played on a normal home and away basis.

Zimbabwe will not participate in the SuperSport Series which has already begun, but will instead play three four-day matches in South Africa against an SA Composite X1.

The team will comprise a minimum of six franchise players and the balance will be fringe franchise players from the amateur ranks. It will be chosen by the National Selection Panel.

This three-match series will be known as the SuperSport Challenge and will have first-class status.

The first match begins at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom tomorrow (Thursday). The other fixtures and venues will be announced shortly but all three matches will take place in South Africa.

The fixtures involving Zimbabwe for the limited overs competitions will also be announced shortly, but will not affect existing fixtures announced by CSA.

Majola said in a statement issued in Johannesburg: "Following a series of meetings between the CEOs of CSA's Affiliates and the South African Cricketers' Association, agreement was reached at assisting Zimbabwe players to participate in a more competitive level of cricket.

"This is in terms of a request by the International Cricket Council to provide Zimbabwe players with an opportunity to play more competitive cricket in their bid to play Test cricket again.

"The South African players, through SACA, also wish to assist Zimbabwe players in this regard and also for the participation to be beneficial to South African cricket.

"The Zimbabwe Cricket Union has welcomed this initiative, and has agreed to field Zimbabwe's strongest team for every match.

"This new set-up will be reviewed at the end of the 2007-8 season".

The South African Composite X1 to play against a Zimbabwe X1 in the first SuperSport Challenge match at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom from November 22-25 is:

Benji Hector (captain)
Stephen Cook
Cliffie Deacon
Athenkosi Dyili (w/k)
Petrus Koortzen
Dumisa Makalima
Sinethemba Mjekula
Pepler Sandri
Blake Snijman
Jean Symes
Stiaan van Zyl
Timmy Gamade (12th man)

Coach: Lawrence Mahatlane
Physiotherapist: Lambert Fick

The national selectors have given opportunities in the Composite XI to several younger players who have started to make their mark at SuperSport Series level.

These include bizhub Highveld Lions opening batsman Blake Snijman, Chevrolet Warriors seamer Sinethemba Mjekula, and the Nashua Cape Cobras duo of batsman Stiaan van Zyl and opening bowler Pepler Sandri.

Michael Owen-Smith
Media officer, Cricket South Africa
Mobile: 0834124514
E-mail: michaelo@cricket.co.za